AgustaWestland: Italian middleman says, 'turning approver is out of question'

AgustaWestland: Italian middleman says, 'turning approver is out of question'

Michel, denying his lawyer's claim, said, "I am ready to submit
documents and proof related to the case through the Indian embassy,"
adding that he "will be hiring an Indian lawyer very soon?" and was
"willing to move Indian courts very soon."

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IndiaToday.in

New Delhi

May 3, 2016

UPDATED: May 3, 2016 23:13 IST

AgustaWestland. Picture: www.deviantart.com

In a big twist to the AgustaWestland investigation, Italian middleman Christian Michel has told India Today in an exclusive interview that 'turning approver was out of question'.

Michel, denying his lawyer's claim, said, "I am ready to submit documents and proof related to the case through the Indian embassy," adding that he "will be hiring an Indian lawyer very soon" and was "willing to move Indian courts very soon."

Michel made it clear that he had never met the Gandhi (Sonia and Rahul) family ever. He said, "I have sued Hascke and am willing to give proof."

He also said, "I gave no favours to any journos either. The job was to monitor and follow media."

Meanwhile, after sustained cross-examination and being confronted with hard evidence on the AgustaWestland chopper deal, ex-Air Chief SP Tyagi admitted today to having met officials of Finmeccanica, including Georgio Zapa, the then COO, in 2005 in India, CBI officials said.

Tyagi had been evasive on Monday but today he was forced to admit he met the officials after being confronted with the visitor's diary and registers.

According to sources, the CBI will now zoom in on details about his international travel after retirement. The former Air Chief has admitted to having financial interests in three companies - Vanshi, Anuras and Shavan.

However, during investigation the name of a new company surfaced. This fourth company is called Meghanshu.

Tyagi has been named in the FIR in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP helicopter deal along with 13 others including his brothers - Sanjeev, Rajeev and Sandeep - and European middlemen Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.